Nationwide Layoff Watch: Bell Boyd Confirms Layoffs
Bell Boyd & Lloyd managing partner Nancy Bertoglio has confirmed the layoffs we reported earlier today. She stated that 10 associates were laid off today:
Like many firms, Bell Boyd is facing unprecedented market conditions and we are taking measures to ensure the firm’s efficient operation and growth. Today regrettably, Management, in individual meetings with associates, asked 10 to leave effective January 1, 2009. The associates affected were representative of practices across the firm, and none were first year associates. All are in the Chicago office. This is a belt-tightening measure that will put us in a better position to ride out the economic storm and remain competitive in what we expect will be a challenging business environment for law firms and our clients.Nancy Bertoglio
Managing Partner
At least the firm didn’t throw mud on the associates on the way out of the door. This message makes it clear that the layoffs were done for economic reasons, not because the 10 associates were “under performing” in some way.
Good luck to the most recent additions to the job hunting community.
Earlier: Nationwide Layoff Watch: Katten’s Official Message
Update: Sonnenschein Confirms Attorney Layoff Numbers
Nationwide Layoff Watch: Jenner & Block Cuts … Partners
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Comments
firsty first first b!atches
first
j
3RD BITCHES!
3RD BITCHES!
everyone who wants to hire a T-10 1L (michigan summer starter 3.7+ gpa) please send me your offers - nervoust101l@yahoo.com (due to nalp guidelines i cannot begin job searching until december 1, this is just a request for information about your firms/gov't positions/in-house/etc.)
-nervous T10 1L
*takes hustling for a 1L job to new levels*
I heard this is in anticipation of a Bell Boyd & Lloyd and WILDMAN HARROLD merger. New firm name:
Worst Name Ever, LLP
Is it possible to email anthrax to a yahoo.com account?
At least the firm gave them a few months notice. I've been laid off twice, and it really goes to your sense of self-worth. Good luck.
New firm name: WILDBELL HARROYD. Solid.
I extend my deepest and most sincere sympathies to Bell Boyd associates.
At least you'll be in good company with a lot of good folks, like those laid off in American Express.
You'll have more time to read. Might I suggest Michael Harvey's "The Chicago Way"?
~In House Counsel
I think this is the best way to conduct layoffs. If you really have to do it, then just come out into the open and be honest about it and give the guys as much notice as possible. The firms that pawn these things off as "performance based" aren't fooling anyone.
. . . anyone except prospective employers.
New firm to be called:
Bell, Lloyd and Hemmorrhoids
I note that Bertoglio wrote "none were..." Since she practices in Posner's circuit, I would advise her to change this practice.
*checks email, sees that it's empty...cries*
-nervous T-10 1L
Bell, Boyd, Lloyd, & Unemployed
10 has stopped snarking about job security because he was laid off from Amex?
Guys at my high school listened to Bell Bid Devoe all the time. It was no big deal.
17,
How did you ever manage to pass the bar let alone all those exams in law school?
I suggest that you go back to community college to retake Reading 101.
Did any of your professors recommend that you not continue law school? If so, you should have taken that advice and gone into a field that didn't involve reading or writing.
Perhaps an elephant proctologist?
~In House Counsel
Were any of the 10 HYS graduates or were they all GULC grads
"Listen Lloyd, I want you to put all my folders, binders, EVERYTHING, into a box. If you find a used condom, an executioner's mask and a f**king spike paddle, don't think, just pack that bitch. Chop suey.
What about the 10-12 nonequity partners and counsel reportedly also let go at BBL. Any comment on that development? The work was said to have fallen off the table, just nothing to do.
What about the 10-12 nonequity partners and counsel reportedly also let go at BBL. Any comment on that development? The work was said to have fallen off the table, just nothing to do.
What about the 10-12 nonequity partners and counsel reportedly also let go at BBL. Any comment on that development? The work was said to have fallen off the table, just nothing to do.
What about the 10-12 nonequity partners and counsel reportedly also let go. Any comment on that development? The work was said to have fallen off the table, just nothing to do.
What about the 10-12 nonequity partners and counsel reportedly also let go at BBL. Any comment on that development? The work was said to have fallen off the table, just nothing to do.
What about the 10-12 nonequity partners and counsel reportedly also let go at BBL. Any comment on that development? The work was said to have fallen off the table, just nothing to do.
I love it when they say it was all for economic reasons. So, did they pick the people who would be laid off at random, or was there some thought behind who they decided to let go?
What about the 10-12 nonequity partners and counsel reportedly also let go. Any comment on that development? The work was said to have fallen off the table, just nothing to do.
28,
If you looked at a partner funny or didn't appear to show any partnership potential, i.e. picking your nose, farting, etc. in front of clients, then you got dismissed.
22-27, 29—do you stutter when you talk or just when you write? Why don't you keep posting that comment. It is brilliant and should be posted at least 40 times. 28--where did the memo say it was ALL for economic reasons? Moron. Use some common sense.
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd -- now you know.
That firm is poison....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdNpj7Emn4k
16 = win
Who's next for associate layoffs? Sidley? Jenner? Mayer?
Bell, Biv & Devoe LLP
Ha, as if BBL could be compared to Sidley, Jenner, Mayer. BBL is a joke.
Orrick stealth layoffs
What about the 10-12 nonequity partners and counsel reportedly also let go. Any comment on that development? The work was said to have fallen off the table, just nothing to do.
Back to your doc review 36 or you will be next on the chopping block.
Why are all the recent layoffs happening in Chicago? Who is next?
Shortage of good work at midsizers. Profits in the toilet. Best lawyers are leaving for new national firm branches or going in house.
Everyone calm down.....The job market for lawyers remains strong !!! From a Colorado Legal recruiter.
Are all midsize firms in trouble? I'm still holding an open offer at Patterson Belknap because the firm has such a strong lit. practice....I figure they will be well placed in the current economy. Is this a mistake? Should I be looking elsewhere?
43 -- I wouldn't compare on this evidence. BBL is not much of a firm these days and certainly is not in the league of Patterson Belknap by any reasonable measure. BBL won't survive 6 months without a merger. Patterson Belknap has a solid future.
43,
I'm at a V20 and work with a few Patterson associates in a financial institution litigation. Patterson represents a co-defendant. I would say that I am favorably impressed by the people that I know there.
oy. I apparently didn't proofread well enough. Pls strike the unneccessary "a" towards the end of the first sentence.
20:
They were not from GULC. They were all from UPenn State Philadelphia campus.
Does anyone know what's happening at McCarter & English?
Anyone know what practice areas were affected? The IP group is the largest, but I think it was also the most profitable.
Is this finally the end to midsized, regional law firm with an identity crisis?
Reviewing the site, maybe it was not such a good idea to hire
Is this finally the end to midsized, regional law firm with an identity crisis?
Maybe it was not such a good idea to hire 13 new first years only then to have to fire 10 associates who were already practicing at the firm to pay for the new ones? I bet they are excited to meet the new class.
From what I hear does anyone there have any work (other than IP)?
This is an IP firm. I thought IP is recessionproof (or is it just patent?). Any patent people among the casualties?
Actually, it was 14 new first years, which really doesn't help as there is no work.
They also had a very large incoming class the year before, which was right at the start of the market decline. In total about 29 new first and second years, or about 1/10 of the whole firm.
I hear from fellow associates there may be more if they do not find a merger partner soon.
None of these 10 associates will be affected by the Obama tax plan.
Will the attorneys who are being terminated receive severance? What is "market" for layoff severance at Big Law these days? With layoffs underway throughout the profession, ATL should consider launching a new feature: "Severance Watch."
I believe they got two months severance. They were all associates at various levels. They also let a few paralegals go too. Newest round of layoffs was a couple of weeks ago and included marketing staff and secretaries - but of course no press release is required for the little people.
I believe they got two months severance. They were all associates at various levels. They also let a few paralegals go too. Newest round of layoffs was a couple of weeks ago and included marketing staff and secretaries - but of course no press release is required for the little people.